Petr Slonim Ukrainian educational and cultural figure, director of children's theaters Date of Birth: 09.03.1908 Country: USA

1. Biography of Petr Slonim
2. Early Career
3. Kharkiv Palace of Pioneers
4. Veteran of the Great Patriotic War
5. Life in the United States
6. Legacy
7. Passing and Honors

Biography of Petr Slonim

Petr Lvovich Slonim was a Ukrainian figure in education and culture, as well as a director of children's theaters. He was the founder and first director of the Kharkiv Palace of Pioneers. Slonim was born on March 9, 1908, in Glukhov, which is now part of the Sumy region.

Early Career

From 1924 to 1929, Slonim worked as an educator at the Bogodukhov colony for homeless children. From 1930 to 1934, he served as the head of the pedagogical department and acting director at the Young Spectator Theater.

Kharkiv Palace of Pioneers

In June 1934, Slonim was involved in the organization and creation of the Kharkiv Palace of Pioneers and Octobrists. From the opening of the Palace until June 1941, he worked as the head of the theater sector.

Veteran of the Great Patriotic War

During the Great Patriotic War, Slonim served as a veteran. From 1953 to 1989, he held various positions at the Kharkiv Palace of Pioneers, including the head of the department of artistic education and the artistic director. Among his many accomplishments was the establishment of the tradition of celebrating New Year with a Christmas tree for children.

Life in the United States

At the age of 81, Slonim retired as the director of the House of Pioneers and moved to the United States, specifically to Milwaukee, at the invitation of the children. Despite living across the ocean, he maintained connections with his creative work. He visited Kharkiv twice, in 2001 and 2005, to meet with students and staff of the Kharkiv Regional Palace of Children and Youth Creativity and participate in the celebration of its 70th anniversary.

Legacy

Slonim founded several innovative children's theaters within the walls of the Palace. He was also a director of numerous theatrical events, including the opening of the Palace on September 6, 1935, and the first Soviet New Year celebration with a Christmas tree in 1936. Slonim wrote the script for the holiday event "First Christmas Tree".

Passing and Honors

Petr Slonim passed away in the United States on March 12, 2011, just three days after his 103rd birthday. He was awarded numerous orders and medals for his work in the fields of labor, education, and child welfare. Many notable Ukrainian and Russian artists, such as Lyudmila Gurchenko and Natalya Fateeva, were among his former students. Slonim was honored as an Honorary Citizen of Kharkiv in 2002 for his achievements in the field of child and youth education, as well as his active pedagogical and community work.